Former Bearwood pub is turned into banqueting suite

The Barleycorn on Bearwood Road won permission in 2011 to be transformed into the venue after a lengthy planning battle, which resulted in the Planning Inspectorate overturning Sandwell Council’s decision to refuse permission for the development.

Now the venue has opened its doors as Hadley Hall banqueting suite.

Bearwood councillor Bob Piper said he was pleased to hear the building was now operational.

“If it’s bringing in 600 to 700 people on a Saturday and causing a nuisance then I would have a problem but if it’s properly run and managed then I’m quite happy,” he said.

“There have been no complaints yet. It’s a bit of employment for Bearwood.”

The pub dates back to the 1930s and was empty for four years before planning permission for its new use was granted two years ago. Owners had applied to Sandwell Council in 2010 for permission to change the site but the scheme was turned down by planners on the grounds of disturbance to residents and lack of parking. An appeal was lodged and in 2011 the Planning Inspectorate overturned the council’s refusal, allowing the development to go ahead.

The venue has been transformed into a 490-seat function room on the ground floor, with a second function room on the first floor. “Residents at the moment seem to be quite indifferent about it,” said Councillor Piper. “There were some concerns from a small number of residents after the original application.”